Schedule:
- Review: Reading Discussions & Discussion Forums
- Drawing Exercises
- Contour VS. Outline
- Blind Contour
- Continuous Line Contour
- Contour Line
- Digital Foundations Chapter 6
- Illustrator Intro/Overview
- Point-By-Point Method & The Pen Tool
Assignments:
- Reading: “The Aesthetics of Game Art and Game Design”, Chris Solarski
- Practice Drawing & Review Illustrator
Announcements:
- Weekend Movie: Wonder Woman, Summers Auditorium $1 w/ hawkcard
- Roberta's Gallery Workshops: Tie Dye Workshop, UC North Mall, Sept 13 11-2pm, free
Time Wasters:
Reading Discussion
We will start with an introduction to our Discussion Forum. Regularly on Tuesdays we will take some time at the beginning of class to talk about our reading for the week. Each week, the reading assignment and discussion forum start at the beginning of the week. You might consider using the question on the discussion forum as a guide for things to consider while you read. The forum responses will get reviewed and points will be added once per week. All forums will close at the end of the semester, but it is more useful if you do them as they are assigned.
In Class Drawings: Mark Making & Contour Line
In Class Drawings with Blind Contour and Contour Line
Illustrator Intro and Tutorial
The Pen Tool is the primary tool used in Illustrator to create new vector graphics. A vector graphic is made from mathematical formula. The information that makes up a vector graphics is basically information about anchor points, how anchors related to each other through lines or curves, where anchors are located in the picture plane, if anchors create a closed or open path, how paths are layered, and what other proporties are applied to paths like fill/stroke color.
To help introduce the use of the Pen Tool, we will follow Digital Foundations Chapter 6 - Line Art and Flat Graphics. A brief demonstration will be given and then students can work somewhat independently.
If there are issues with the Digital Foundations website not loading, please use the following link to access our own mirrored version of the chapter: Chapter 6.
While working on Chapter 6, pay close attention to ways that you can use the Pen Tool for positioning efficiently and creating smooth bezier curves. A concept worth considering is "Prime Point Placement" (adapted from Von Glitschka's Vector Basic Training) - where there is the best spot possible to place your anchor point. Although you could probably put an anchor point anywhere you want, it is to your advantage to find the best placement possible. Prime Point Placement means that you have only the necessary anchor points to complete the path and that when you create a curve it is continuous. These tasks take practice, and so when you begin using the Pen Tool, keep them in mind so you can develop good habits.
common mistake of too many anchor points!
Point-By-Point Method
The Point-By-Point Method refers to using the Pen Tool to create vector graphics by systamically plotting anchor points. In order to be visually effective, anchor points and they paths they create should reflect the type of image they are meant to create. A curve should be continuous or a sharp angle should have the correct angle. Later in the semester, there will be assignments directed and learning and practicing the Point-By-Point Method with more depth.
As time allows, we may experiment with scanning your sketches from earlier in the class session to use as the basis for Point-By-Point Method of tracing. Contour Line Drawing and Poin-By-Point Method of vector graphics include a lot of visual similarities.